Hawai‘i Wisdom — October 2017

Hawai‘i Wisdom — October 2017

The barn owl, like the one on Molokai in this photo, was introduced to Hawai‘i in 1958 for rodent control. They reproduce up to twice a year, and are present in all Main Hawaiian Islands, including the islet of Lehua, off the coast of Ni‘ihau. Unfortunately, bringing the barn owl to Hawai‘i was another disappointing method of rodent control, like the mongoose introduction. The barn owl soon became an invasive species in Hawai‘i, competing for food with the endemic Hawaiian pueo, or short-eared owl, and preying on endangered Hawaiian seabirds. Trapping and shooting are two methods used to control the barn owl. Photo by Léo Azambuja

Lele au la, hokahoka wale iho.

“I fly away, leaving disappointment behind.”

Said of one who is disillusioned after giving many gifts. Waka‘ina was a ghost of North Kohala who deceived people. He often flew to where people gathered and chanted. When he had their attention he would say, “I could chant better if I had a tapa cloth.” In this way he would name one thing after another, and when all had been given him he would fly away chanting these words.

Source: ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, by Mary Kawena Pukui

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Léo Azambuja, editor of For Kaua‘i, has won multiple journalism awards in the state of Hawai‘i, including investigative and enterprise reporting, spot news and feature writing, photojournalism and online reporting.